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Racing ahead at le mans
One of the first companies to locate at the University of Warwick Science Park in 1983 is still leading the field.
PTC (UK) Ltd, the product development company, has developed software technology that was used in the top eight cars finishing the grueling Le Mans 24 hr race. New engines, such as the new Bentley 4-litre twin turbocharged V8, were designed and evaluated using software from PTC, as are new body shapes.
Nigel Rodliffe, North European Marketing Director for PTC explains, "Modern racing cars demand ever tighter tolerances. Designers can no longer rely on traditional hand formed wooden patterns. Even microscopic gaps in the bodywork can seriously compromise aerodynamic performance and more complex and challenging shapes are needed to dramatically improve the down force to drag ratio of racing cars." The software, by allowing designers to send 3D machining data directly from their workstations to a CNC router, dramatically reduces manufacturing build lead times.
PTC (UK) Ltd, formerly Computervision, was attracted to the University of Warwick Science Park by its location and the strong association with one of the UK's leading Universities. Many of the company's automotive clients are based within a 100-mile radius of Coventry. Tom Webster, the Science Park's Deputy Director comments, "It's great having a such a successful company based on the Park playing such a key role at the leading edge of the automotive industry."
Formula 1 is also a major beneficiary of the PTC touch. Using software to help design its engines, Ferrari has finished on the podium in all of the last 45 Grand Prixs since 1999. "Is engine reliability a factor? You bet," Nigel adds.
Cliff Cotterill - 2002/08/21
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